Dr. Rishabh Arora, Director of the EMC Group, has expressed concern over the deteriorating air quality in Amritsar. He revealed that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city has surpassed 300, placing it in the ‘Very Poor’ category. The primary reason for this alarming rise, according to Dr. Arora, is the increasing number of stubble-burning incidents.
Recently, Punjab has witnessed a surge in such incidents, leading to a significant rise in local pollution levels. Dr. Arora highlighted that this spike in air pollution could have severe health impacts, particularly for children and the elderly, who may experience respiratory problems.
Labeling the worsening air pollution as a ‘medical emergency,’ he emphasized its potential to seriously affect public health. He explained that stubble burning contributes to higher concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) in the air, which can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing critical health issues.
The presence of these fine particles in the human body increases the risk of diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and even lung cancer. Dr. Arora also noted that these pollutants are particularly harmful to children, the elderly, and pregnant women due to their weaker immune systems.
He warned that if the situation persists, hospitals may witness a sharp rise in respiratory illness cases. Dr. Arora urged the government and concerned departments to take the issue seriously and implement strong measures to prevent stubble burning. Immediate action is essential to mitigate the impact of pollution at this critical level.
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